Tapestries - Bringing the Outdoors In By Angela Dawson-Field At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

For all lovers of the outdoors, paintings and prints abound that record the glories of nature. For the most part, however, they come across as but faint shadows of the real thing, flat and two dimensional. This is one reason tapestries featuring outdoor scenes are so popular.

The three dimensional effect tapestries bring to themes like woodland groves or stormy seas adds an inestimable amount of interest to the subject matter. There are many sizes and styles of tapestry, but ones that feature the outdoors are favorites everywhere. The natural colors blend with almost any décor, and they are appropriate for any room in the house.

Woodland and Wildlife Themes

Depictions of shady clearings and sunlight shafting through trees are a common sight in many tapestry shops. The peacefulness is tinged with excitement when you spot the doe and fawn almost hidden at the edge of the tree line. Other portrayals have a stag standing front and center, in full antlered glory.

Lions tigers and elephants and even camels are beautifully rendered to bring a touch of the safari right into your living area. Tame parrots and macaws can be depicted in excruciating detail, so realistic you half expect them to jump off the wall and start flying around the room.

Simple fields of wildflowers or hidden mountain springs with waterfalls are also subjects of interest, creating a calming feeling. These are lovely when placed in bedrooms and studies to provide a restful atmosphere. Garden scenes have almost an Impressionist feel when transferred to tapestry.

Other tapestries show realistic versions of farmhouses and covered bridges, trails winding across prairies and pastured livestock. Horses hang their heads over the corral fence; chickens peck in the grass. Any of these tapestries can be hung to provide a type of picture window; a view into another world.

Hunters and Hills, Sailors and Seas

Hunting scenes are wildly popular, featuring every aspect of the hunt from the gathering before hand to the actual chase to the capture. Hounds and horsemen, stag, fox or hare are depicted in fluid motion. These tapestries are favored for dens and family rooms, providing some action and heat on cool fall evenings.

Nautical themes are popular as well. Historical tapestries show events such as pitched battles fought on the high seas and panoramic views of harbors and merchant ships. Gondolas in Venice pull back away from the bustle and bring a quiet laziness to the viewer’s mind.

Animals and Wildlife

The lions, peacocks and woodpeckers shown in Pre-Raphaelite artist’s works are less lifelike but just as powerfully rendered. Mythical beasts such as dragons and unicorns abound, and interact with humans in conflict or friendship. These historical pieces are great for display in larger rooms of the house.

The Lady and the Unicorn tapestries are legendary, as are several different portrayals of Saint George vanquishing the Dragon. Pastoral scenes of carthorses and swine yield glimpses into the bucolic country life if centuries ago, and the backgrounds are soothing.

Chinese tapestries with their stylized horses and intricate bird patterns offer an exotic touch. The colors used to detail the kimonos and trappings of the steeds are incredibly intense. Again, skirmishes are common themes of tapestries. Dragons figure prominently in Asian lore as well, and can be portrayed in many different way.

Smaller tapestries often focus on domesticated animals, such as dogs and horses. These tapestries can be incorporated into handbags or throw pillows. Royalty used to demand to be painted with their favorite hound or lapdog, and the trend continues to this day with owners seeking out handbags featuring their favorite breed.

Flora and Fauna

Some tapestries, such as ones from India, have a bold style when it comes to flowers or fruit. If you like plump and rounded brightly colored fruit these tapestries are cheery and enjoyable. Other styles are more lifelike, drawing from the reality of nature, and some seem almost inspired.

Chenille tapestries often show flowers that look intensely real. Butterflies, too are featured and appear to be meticulously accurate down to the tiniest detail. Chenille tapestries are extremely soft, woven with a special yarn that leaves a fuzzy effect.

Still other tapestries show the outdoors in the grip of different seasons - spring flowers, summer wheat, autumn leaves and winter sceneries blanketed with snow. All of these seem somehow more alive and real in the tactile form of tapestry.

If you want the inside of your home to remind you of the outside, you can’t go wrong with tapestries. They will bring the wilderness straight into your living room, with a rich beauty and style that your family and friends will admire.

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